India were placed third on the WADA list, released last week, of doping offenders for the year of 2014. But yet, there seems to be no signs of improvement, after the Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said 58 weightlifters had tested positive last year. The minister made this revelation to the Lok Sabha in a letter on Tuesday.
"During the calendar year 2015, a total number of 58 weightlifters have been found guilty of Anti-Doping Rule violation and the disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them," Sonowal was quoted as saying by PTI.
He also revealed that two Indian weightlifters were caught for doping during the Commonwealth Senior, Junior and Youth Championships, which was held in Pune last year. International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) carried out drug tests during the event and found two offenders.
Sonowal also spoke about the report revealed by WADA last week. He said that the percentage of drug samples have remained unchanged over the last few years and that is not a good sign for Indian sports.
"Dope positive/anti-doping rule violation cases as a percentage of samples collected have largely remained unchanged in recent years. The percentage was 2.17 in 2013, 2.32 in 2014 and 2.27 in 2015," Sonowal said.
The sports minister stated that in order to reduce the rate of doping, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), is taking measures. They are conducting drug tests during and after the events to prevent the athletes from taking banned substances.
